Outreach > World Mission Task Force > Nicaragua
Nicaragua Mission Trip
This summer's dates: June 26 - July 3, 2010
Who: Both SPC members and those who have partnered with us in supporting these communities are invited to come. The maximum size of the group is about 15.
Where: In 2009, we stayed in Managua (3 nights) and our rural, partner communities east of Matagalpa (5 nights).
What we do: Renew relationships with the leadership of our partner communities, visit the farms that are participating in our agricultural micro-loan program, work on housing or infrastructure projects.
Logistics: Our trip is organized by the Nehemiah Program of CEPAD, The Council of Protestant Churches of Nicaragua.
Housing: In Managua, at CEPAD's Nehemiah Center. In our partner communities, in individual homes (in groups of two or three) and/or the CEPAD farm. Outhouses or latrines are the norm in rural areas.
Language: Bilingual staff from CEPAD accompany us. Some knowledge of Spanish is helpful, but not essential.
Costs: Airfare round trip, from/to BWI airport (it was around $500 in 2009). CEPAD charges a per diem fee of about $80 per person per night for lodging, meals and ground transportation.
When: Usually in June. The 2010 trip is scheduled June 26 - July 3.
For more details, or to express interest in going:
Contact Tom Stephenson (congregation directory - login required), or John Weicher john.weicher@swarthmorepres.org
Our June 2009 Trip Coordinated and facilitated once again by Tom Stephenson, this trip was open to both youth and adults from SPC, the College, and the community. The group of six that answered the call included four SPC members, one veteran of earlier trips from the community, and one Swarthmore College student. A great deal of our planning and arrangements were facilitated by CEPAD (the Nicaraguan Council of Protestant Churches) and our PCUSA mission coworker Doug Orbaker. The delegation was the seventh trip to Nicaragua since 2004 involving SPC members. They traveled to an area east of Matagalpa, the site of our seven partner communities, to renew our relationships with the leadership of the community development group that is working to reduce poverty, support families and improve infrastructure. Earlier this year, SPC dollars helped to fund a micro-loan program which has now helped more than 30 farmers purchase seeds for the spring planting season. The principle goal of the trip was to visit some of the farms that have been the beneficiaries of this program. The delegation spent several nights in the homes of these farm families, adding their labor to the financial support from SPC members, all in the quest to reduce hunger and increase agricultural sustainability.